Shauna Corr

A man and woman from China have been arrested and removed from Lee’s Kitchen in Dungannon after an Immigration Enforcement raid.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited the Gortmerron Link Road takeaway yesterday, [Thursday, February 4] and questioned staff to see if they had the right to live and work in the UK.

A Chinese woman and man, both aged 36, who were found working there, were arrested as they were in the country illegally.

Both have now been transferred to immigration detention pending their removal.

Lee’s Kitchen was served with a notice warning that a financial penalty of up to £20,000 per worker will be imposed unless they can show the appropriate right-to-work document checks were carried out, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document confirming permission to work.

Mike Golden, from Immigration Enforcement in Northern Ireland said: “We are working hard to counter illegal working and those who abuse the UK’s immigration system.

“Using illegal labour is not a victimless crime. It cheats the taxpayer, undercuts businesses who ply an honest trade and deprives legitimate job seekers of employment opportunities.

“There are simple checks employers can carry out to ensure their employees have the right to work in the UK. Those who choose to ignore the rules will face the consequences.

“We expect everyone here illegally to leave the UK voluntarily; for those who don’t the message is clear. We will find, detain and remove you.

“I would urge anyone with detailed and specific information about suspected immigration abuse to contact us.”